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WHAT’S IN STORE: Langley’s Otter Co-op returns record dividends to members

In this week’s business column, editor Roxanne Hooper talks co-op, chamber, and cars.
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Jack Nicholson, CEO of Otter Co-op and president of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, shares information on both organizations. (Special to Black Press Media)

Otter Co-op is celebrating its ninth year of “record revenues” and consequently record patronage reimbursements – with an announcement they’ll be giving a $6.6-million refund of sorts to its members.

Each year, the co-op returns a portion of its annual sales to members. Last year, they earned $255.2 million, meaning the reimbursement money (based on amount spent by individual members) will be significant. The loot will be distributed during the Equity Days celebration in September.

In the past five years, the co-operative – now 97 years old – has returned $25.9 million to its members, and donated around $750,000 to community programs and initiatives.

“This year, Otter has seen tremendous growth with the opening of our West Kelowna Gas Bar and our first liquor store, Liquor on 248th,” Co-op CEO Jack Nicholson said.

READ RELATED: Liquor on 248th, diversifies Otter Co-op’s retail offering to community

“We look forward to the opening of our Mount Lehman food and pharmacy store this summer, and look forward to serving all of our guests for the years to come,” Nicholson added.

And did you know that co-op membership is only a one-time $10 fee. Might be worth the investment, if you’re shopping at their retail store, visiting the gas bars, or checking out the new liquor store on any kind of regular basis.

Otter Co-op will be hosting its annual general meeting on June 5 at the Township of Langley Civic Facility, where they will review financial reports, host director elections, and present 10 scholarships – worth $1,000 each – to students in the community.

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Chamber open house on tap

Coming up next week, the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting an open house.

This time, it’s being held in North Langley, at Redwoods Golf Course, on Tuesday, May 7, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

This is a great networking opportunity for business owners and operators from the Willoughby, Walnut Grove, and Fort Langley neighbourhoods, said president Jack Nicholson.

He noted that there are four such neighbourhood open houses held each year, giving the business community a chance to reach out and share issues of important with Langley’s largest business advocacy group.

It’s also a chance to meet the chamber’s community director Brad Kiendl, and other board members. It’s also a chance to get their questions answered, Nicholson said.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required by calling 604-371-3770 or by visiting the Chamber website at www.langleychamber.com.

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Porsche unveiled in Langley

Looking for a bit of Harmony in your life this weekend.

Well Porsche is preparing to roll out its newest car, aptly named Harmony, and it’s being unveiled with a special event at the Porsche Centre Langley on Sunday afternoon.

OpenRoad Auto Group is hosting a special arrival party, which is open to the public on May 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. It will allow people to see the new Macan, a compact SUV. But also on tap that afternoon, there will be a performance in the showroom by a youth orchestra out of Abbotsford, as well as music by a young pianist.

“The new Macan is arriving and Porsche Centre Langley is celebrating it with an event for the entire family,” said Christian Chia, the dealer principal.



Roxanne Hooper

About the Author: Roxanne Hooper

I began in the news industry at age 15, but honestly, I knew I wanted to be a community journalist even before that.
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